A father of four has died after a car on which he had been working collapsed on top of him at his home in Co Clare.
Named locally as Jim Millane (54), the victim was a well-known self-employed mechanic who was also very popular in motoring circles.
The incident happened at his home at Corlea, about 5km from Sixmilebridge. Mr Mullane and his family had moved there in recent years from Doora, near Ennis, where he lived and operated his own business.
Two units of the fire brigade from Shannon along with an ambulance and rapid response advanced paramedic unit from Ennis responded to the incident.
Fire crews had to use specialist equipment to lift the car and release Mr Mullane, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardaí are treating the incident as a tragic accident and have carried out a forensic examination of the scene.
The Health and Safety Authority was informed of the incident and sent an inspector to the scene yesterday. A spokesman said: “We have been informed of this accident and an investigation is under way.”
It is understood Mr Mullane was working on a car in the driveway of his home and that it was being supported at the time by a jack.
It is expected that both investigations will look at whether the jack slipped or failed, causing the vehicle to fall on the victim.